Supermodified
Amon Tobin
2000
Why This Album Matters
Supermodified, the fourth studio album by Brazilian electronic music producer Amon Tobin, released in 2000, represents a significant milestone in his discography. The album's title, which evokes ideas of modification and transcendence, reflects the depth of its sonic proposition. This work stands out for its enhanced production and remarkable cohesion, offering a sonic experience that was considered more accessible than its predecessors, but without sacrificing complexity. Tobin demonstrates a significant evolution in his production skills, creating a dense and intricate sonic universe, characteristic of his style on the global electronic scene. Supermodified is a fundamental piece for understanding the artist's ability to innovate and shape complex soundscapes, reaffirming his position as one of electronic music's great talents.
Recording
The production of Supermodified was spearheaded by Amon Tobin himself, responsible for bringing the album's complex sonic tapestry to life. The visual identity was carefully crafted by Openmind, who was responsible for the artwork and design, while She 1 handled the typography. Specific recording details include Quadraceptor's beatboxing contribution on the track "Precursor", an element that adds a unique layer to the composition. Haig Vartzbedian was responsible for recording this same track, and Voda carried out the final mastering of the album, ensuring the work's sound quality.
Songs
The album Supermodified spawned two prominent singles: "Slowly", released in May 2000, and "Four Ton Mantis", which came out in September of the same year. Both singles were accompanied by music videos, with "Slowly" directed by Ben Rivers and Jeremy Butler, and "Four Ton Mantis" by Floria Sigismondi. Several tracks from the album found resonance in other media. "Natureland", "Slowly", and "Get Your Snack On" were used in the coverage of the 2003 Gumball 3000 Rally, while "Saboteur" featured in the 2003 remake of The Italian Job. Songs like "Four Ton Mantis" and "Deo" were used in TV commercials, and "Get Your Snack On" and "Deo" were integrated into the 2005 anime IGPX, in addition to appearances in "American Dad!" and the famous Toonami bumps. It is notable that the album's LP edition features a slightly different track order, with "Chocolate Lovely" positioned between "Keepin' It Steel (The Anvil Track)" and "Natureland".
Legacy
Supermodified was met with universal acclaim from specialist critics, achieving an average score of 85 out of 100 on Metacritic, based on eight reviews. Critics such as Taylor M. Clark, from Pitchfork, praised the album's accessibility and cohesion, comparing its structure to "Lego blocks building a castle". John Bush, from AllMusic, highlighted Tobin's "great advancements in production skills", citing the material's breadth and excellence as irrefutable proof. In terms of commercial success, the album was graced with a double silver certification by the Independent Music Companies Association in 2012, attesting to sales of at least 40,000 copies in Europe. Beyond critical and sales recognition, Supermodified left its mark on pop culture, with several of its tracks being widely licensed for films, television programmes, and commercials, including hits such as "Saboteur" in "The Italian Job" and "Four Ton Mantis" in advertising campaigns. However, the album's legacy also faces contemporary challenges. In 2017, Amon Tobin confirmed that, for reasons beyond his control, some tracks and playlists from his albums were altered on conventional digital platforms, and a small number of his best-known songs, such as "Four Ton Mantis", were removed from streaming services, possibly due to sample clearance issues.
Rankings
Tracks
Credits
Amon Tobin
Openmind
She One
Voda
Analyses
Supermodified – Wikipedia
Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia
Amon Tobin: Supermodified Album Review | Pitchfork
pitchfork.com
Amon Tobin creates aural treasures each time he touches studio equipment. He breathes vitality into a stagnant genre with each drum hit.
Classic Album Review: Amon Tobin | Supermodified - Tinnitist
tinnitist.com
Brazilian-born, Brighton-based DJ Amon Tobin has always known that hip-hop and jungle's family tree has roots in jazz. On this worthy followup to his first two genre-bending discs — '97's Bricolage and '98's Permutation — Tobin finds a few more branches to swing from.
Entrevista com Amon Tobin, a propósito de "Supermodified"
profelectro.info
Um título como "Supermodified" é todo um manifesto de métodos e intenções, protagonizados neste novo álbum por Amon Tobin, um dos músicos mais originais e criativos da electrónica actual.
Amon Tobin - Supermodified | fmstereo
profelectro.info
Com "Supermodified" (nunca um título de um álbum foi tão revelador), Amon Tobin assume-se como um artista barroco, um criador sem fronteiras, alquimista/demiurgo dos fragmentos perdidos da música de um mundo em desagregação.
Discogs
Supermodified – Discogs
discogs.com